For the first time since 2012, Canada has claimed gold in the women’s hockey world championship.
The victory came after Marie-Philip Poulin scored the winner in overtime, making it a 3-2 win over the United States.
Poulin is now the only woman to have scored three gold-medal-winning goals in her career, two being Olympic-gold.
This gold medal win comes nearly a decade after their last time at the podium, and after last year’s women’s championship in Nova Scotia was cancelled due to COVID-19.
The captain’s winning goal did not come easily in Tuesday’s game as it was initially waived off by an on-ice official, but the Canadian team did not hesitate to begin their celebrations despite the call.
“I kind of knew that it was in, but when we heard that buzzer it was a great feeling,” said Poulin.
“To do it at home, in Calgary, was very exciting.”
Blayre Turnbull, Canada’s assistant captain, actually suffered a leg injury during the celebration, and was carried off the ice before returning to celebrate – from a stretcher!
PARTY LIKE CHAMPIONS! @HockeyCanada #womensworlds pic.twitter.com/o9stZScLM6
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) September 1, 2021
Goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens made 23 saves in the victory, while USA’s Nicole Hensley stopped 29 shots in the bout.
It’s no wonder why Canada and the US needed the extra time to settle the score, as their rivalry is considered one of the greatest in modern-day sports.
Tuesday’s game was the fifth time in their last seven clashes for the gold medal win.
